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The Annual
Accelerated Cure Project Halloween
Concert |
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Why these concerts are happening
Recent research on Multiple Sclerosis has been enthusiastic,
active, and somewhat random.
Art Mellor is an Arlington, MA resident whose response to receiving a
diagnosis of MS has been to build an organized framework for
this research, with the goal of curing MS by determining its cause.
The remarkable
organization he founded in 2001 was originally named The Boston Cure Project, but it has grown into a national non-profit with a name to match its goal: Accelerated Cure
Project, which aims to accelerate the process of MS research in two ways:
Who am I and why does this subject matter so much to me? I'm Marion Leeds Carroll, a former opera singer and stage director. I was diagnosed with MS in
1988, and am now using a cane full-time. But I can recognize and support
a good idea when I see it. And I can still organize a concert - and, if my health permits, sing a song on the program.
News from Art Mellor, 9/26/08:
We just added a section to our web site that lists all the studies that are currently approved to receive samples from our repository.
All the hard work is paying off - we're at 15 and counting already!
You can see the list here.
Help make the next concert happen
Perform (sing or play - fill out attached form) This year's program is all filled!- Raise funds:
- Bring in an audience:
- Create posters, and design/print
the program:
- Work on the day of the concert :
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- Corporate Sponsorship and Promotions Director: For each concert we need a person responsible for
- - soliciting companies and businesses for corporate donations in sponsorship
of the event. (see our Sponsorship/Ads page for details)
- organizing a raffle for in-kind gifts donated in lieu of financial
contributions.
Estimated time required: 2-4 hours per week.
- Small-Business Program Ads Salesman: For each concert we need a person responsible for
- - encouraging small businesses to purchase ads in our printed program. (see our Sponsorship/Ads page for details)
- encouraging performers and others to sell ads
- creating ad exchanges: offering to print a free ad for a local performing group in our program, in exchange for placing our free ad in their program.
Estimated time required: 2-4 hours per week.
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Sponsor a Singer
Program Director: For each concert we need a person
responsible for
- - developing materials for the "Sponsor a Singer" program
(through which concert singers collect sponsorships for their participation
in the event- see our Sponsor-a-Singer
page for details.)
- - promoting the program amongst the singers
- encouraging them to write letters and send emails to friends, family,
and colleagues
- acting as liaison to singers throughout process, tracking their progress
and providing encouragement
Estimated time required: 1-3 hours per week. |
- Advertising/Public Relations Director: For
each concert we need a person responsible for
- - writing a press release and a radio PSA
- getting the event covered by as many TV, radio, and news outlets as
possible
- spreading the word through local and community outlets (e. g. Longwood
Opera, Longy School of Music, Berklee School of Music, Craigslist, the
Community Tabs, etc).
Estimated time required: 2-4 hours per week.
- Ticket Sales Director:
For each concert we need a person responsible for:
- - developing a process for advance and "at door" ticket
purchases
- creating and executing a plan for maximizing ticket sales
- tracking ticket purchases
- collecting funds
- managing "at door" ticket purchases on day of event
Estimated time required: 3-6 hours per week and attendance at the event
on October 28th.
- Also requires willingness to be contacted by phone/email throughout
the day.
Ticket sales contest: How many tickets can each performer sell? Who can sell the most?
We need someone to organize a contest among the performers, while welcoming
others to compete as well. What's a good prize?
Ticket
prices, 2008 |
- General adult
prices:
- $20 in advance
$25 at the door
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- Students and elders:
- $10
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Note: Remind audience members who Cry Poor that this
is not merely a concert, but a fund-raiser for a very worthy cause. They
get good music and the satisfaction of making a donation
to the Accelerated Cure Project! |
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Graphic
Design Director: For
each concert we need a person responsible for
- - developing and creating the concert's program booklet within a very
restricted budget (See last year's program)
- developing posters, flyers, ad copy and tickets
(note: see the Sing to Cure MS logo and the current preliminary flyer for ideas.
Estimated time required: ~10 hours total. |
- Logistics Director (i.e. Production Stage
Manager): For each concert we need a person responsible
for handling all of the day-of-event logistics including
- - parking concerns
- handicapped accessibility
- signage
- coordinating in-kind donations of food and drink
- volunteer staff
- performer requests
--- and any other logistical event and venue-related details.
Estimated time required: 2-4 hours per week and attendance at the event
on October 28th.
Helper off-stage (backstage or in the "house" - volunteer staff) :
If you're happier being an "Indian
", not a "Chief," we need you to help the Logistics Director.
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Estimated time required: 2-5 hrs (attendance at the concert, possible attendance at the rehearsal the Tuesday before.)
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Donate more to the Accelerated Cure Project through this concert or separately
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